The Dragon Boat Festival

This festival occurs on the 5th day of the 5th Chinese lunar month. In the past, people would celebrate it with simple but meaningful traditions. Villagers would hang fresh, green herb leaves on doors to keep bad luck away. Children would wear small, colorful, silk pouches with some specific herbs around their necks or pin them to their clothes. Women would wrap "zongzi" by hand using bamboo leaves. "zongzi" is a sticky, traditional food on this special day with some rice, beans and other ingredients. In different areas, "zongzi" can be either savory or sweet. People would cook them slowly over a wood fire. Also, people would watch the dragon boat races with old, wooden boats painted with bright dragon heads. The boats would be painted with color and pattern.  Normally, on the first day before the dragon boats enter the water, people would hold ceremonies by the river. An elder would paint the dragon's eyes, and people believed it would wake up the dragon's spirit to protect them.

The Dragon Boat Festival continues to be celebrated today across China. It's still an exciting, lively festival, but it has become more modern. Similarly, people eat "zongzi" during the festival. In contrast to the past, most people buy them from stores to save time. People watch the dragon boat races as popularly as in the past. However, the races are more professional, bigger, and international events in cities. The boats are made of lightweight, durable materials, and people watch the races on TV or social media. Unlike in the past, people buy specific, festival items like the silk pouches and herb leaves from markets nowadays. Even though some old customs no longer exist, people still spend time with their families and continue the ancient traditions. 



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